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- by Michelle Blackwood, RN
This elderberry syrup recipe is so easy to prepare with simple ingredients, fresh elderberries, simmered with ginger and cinnamon and sweetened with maple syrup. Homemade elderberry syrup is a must try.
Elderberry syrup recipe is so easy to prepare with simple ingredients, fresh elderberries, simmered with ginger and cinnamon, and sweetened with maple syrup. Homemade elderberry syrup is a must-try.
For years I have been wanting to make my own elderberry syrup, I have planted elderberry plants twice but ended up relocating before we could harvest them. My friend Monique gave me my first plant in Virginia before we knew it my husband got a job offer to manage a campground in Ohio.
We dug up our plant and brought it with us to Ohio where it flourished and then about 2 years later my husband got an offer to manage the campground here in Florida. We took it here with us but we kept it in a huge wooden barrel ever since.
See more, Sambucus Nigra, Health Benefits Of Oregano Tea and Quercetin
On a recent trip to the gym, last Wednesday, my daughter and I decided to stop at the local farmer’s market, a friend who so happens to be visiting the market started talking to me by text when I mentioned to her that I was heading to the market. She said she was actually already there, I asked her what goodies she had bought, the first thing she mentioned was elderberries.
I told her to tell the seller to hold some for me until I got there, I was so excited to finally get to make elderberry syrup, mind you, I have always bought storebought elderberry syrup for my kids but I knew that it couldn’t compare to fresh elderberry syrup recipe.
I love making my own products when I can like my own Whipped Body Butter, Natural All-Purpose Orange Cleaner, and Nature’s Penicillin.
What is Elderberry?
Elderberry is from the variety of Sambucus tree, a flowering plant belonging to the Adoxaceae family. There are more than 30 types of elder trees around the world, the most common variety is called Sambucus Nigra or black elderberry, a European native plant.
Black elder tree grows up to 30 feet, has small black or navy blue tart berries growing into clusters. The ripe cooked berries are edible, however, the uncooked berries and other parts of the plant (stems, twigs, roots, flowers, leaves) contain a toxic compound called cyanidin glycosides.
Where To Buy Elderberry?
You can purchase fresh elderberries at nurseries and farmers’ markets. Dried elderberries can be purchased from Amazon or from health food stores. If you don’t have berries you can purchase premade Elderberry Gummies And Elderberry Syrup online.
Elderberry Benefits
Elderberries have been used for centuries to treat the common cold and flu, elderberries contain antioxidants such as polyphenols in particular anthocyanins and vitamins that are known to boost the immune system.
- Study Of The Efficacy And Safety Of Oral Elderberry Extract (1)
- Elderberry Supplementation Reduces Cold Duration And Symptoms In Air Travellers. (2)
- Elderberry Extract Prevents Oxidative Stress On Cells (3)
One cup of elderberries contains 106 calories, great source carbohydrate, fiber, Read more.
- Vitamin A – 870 IU
- Potassium – 406 mg
- Calcium – 55 mg
- Vitamin C – 52.2 mg
- Vitamin B6 – 0.3 mg
- Folate 8.7 mcg
How To Make Elderberry Syrup?
- Remove elderberries from the stems and leaves, discard stems, leaves.
- Rinse elderberries using a fine mesh strainer and place it into a saucepan, add water, ginger and a stick of cinnamon.
- Heat saucepan over medium-high, bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer for 45 minutes.
- Allow the elderberry mix to cool. Strain elderberry liquid into a container, press the berries to get all the remaining juice out.
- Add lemon juice and sweetener (maple syrup, agave or coconut sugar). Mix well to combine.
- Store your elderberry syrup in a closed container and store in the refrigerator.
How To Use Elderberry Syrup?
Adults take 1 tablespoon daily and children take 1 teaspoon daily.
How Long Can Elderberry Syrup Last?
Elderberry can last up to six months refrigerated once it is cooked properly and stored in a container with a tight-fitting lid
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Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Lifestyle, Vegan
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
(Per serving)
- Energy: 22 kcal / 92 kJ
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Carbs: 05.8 g
Cook Time
- Preparation: 10 min
- Cooking: 45 min
- Ready in: 55 min
- For: 32 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh elderberries, or 1 cup of dried
- 2 1/2 cups cold water
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 stick of cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2/3 cups sweetener, (maple syrup, agave or coconut sugar)
Instructions
- Remove elderberries from the stems and leaves, discard stems, leaves.
- Rinse elderberries using a fine mesh strainer and place into a saucepan, add water, ginger and a stick of cinnamon.
- Heat saucepan over medium-high, bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer for 45 minutes.
- Allow elderberry mix to cool. Strain elderberry liquid into a container, press the berries to get all the remaining juice out.
- Add lemon juice and sweetener (maple syrup, agave or coconut sugar). Mix well to combine.
- Store your elderberry syrup in a closed container and store in the refrigerator.
Michelle Blackwood, RN
Hi, I’m Michelle, I’m the voice, content creator and photographer behind Healthier Steps. I share vegan and gluten-free recipes because of past health issues. My goal is to help you make healthier choices and show you how healthy eating is easy and delicious.
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10 Comments
Rose September 14, 2021
Reply ↓
not only did my hubby plant elderberry bushes for us, we also make our own maple syrup, so this recipe is perfect! Thank you!
Eldeberry syrup, elderberry jam, elderberry tincture, elderberry pie….the list is endless!! :)Michelle Blackwood, RN September 14, 2021
Reply ↓
Rose, you and your hubby are amazing, I miss living where I can get fresh maple syrup. I hope you enjoy my recipe. I brought an elderberry plant with me from Ohio but it seems as if my dogs ate it.
Vicky Dudley September 9, 2020
Reply ↓
Just this summer I discovered elderberry bushes growing on our property, practically in our backyard! I began harvesting them in July and just picked the last stem a few days ago. I kept the washed berries in a zipper bag in the freezer until the harvest was over. In the meantime, I’ll bet I’ve read/watched a dozen or more tutorials on how to make elderberry syrup and hints on how to de-stem them (freezing the berries on the stems did NOT work for me; I just ended up with too many green berries to pick out and it was a mushy mess that ended up in the compost bin.) After reading so many recipes that my eyes crossed, I came across yours and ended the search! I am extremely excited to announce that my syrup-making adventure was an absolute success! I had a bottle just like the one pictured on your page and filled it up with beautiful purple syrup, plus a little extra.
Michelle Blackwood, RN September 9, 2020
Reply ↓
Vicky, wow you are so blessed to have elderberry bushes growing on your property. I’m happy you found my recipe and tried it. Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. Blessings to you and your family.
Lesia August 2, 2020
Reply ↓
I been looking for more elderberry recipes I was wondering how to make gummies taste a little better my granddaughters dont like the taste I use raw honey and 100% cherry or grape juice
Angela Reimer January 18, 2020
Reply ↓
So delicious! My only question is this: I tried to make sure I got all the tiny stems out of my batch – I bought dried, organic berries – but there may have been a couple stragglers. I cooked it all for at least an hour so will I be fine as far as avoiding poisoning goes? I know the stems have a potential for high cyanide. Thanks!
Michelle Blackwood, RN January 19, 2020
Reply ↓
Angela, I’m happy you enjoyed it. the stems do contain some level of toxic cyanide, so avoid the stems. Boiling your berries should take care of any potential cyanide issue. Symptoms would be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
Rachel July 18, 2019
Reply ↓
I’m happy I found your recipe, I got some elderberries from our local market so I’m going to give it a try!
Michelle Blackwood July 18, 2019
Reply ↓
That’s wonderful Rachel, I hope you enjoy it.
Sheri January 4, 2020
Reply ↓
What does the lemon juice do for the syrup? Most recipes I’ve seen don’t include it. Thank you.
